Welcome to the E46Fanatics forums. E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3 series owners around the world with interactive forums, a geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, and technical information for BMW enthusiasts.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

After snapping the ARB brackets twice I decided to go a step ahead and get a complete ARB set (Front + Rear). Also, the addition of the S/C made me drive more spirited than usual hense the requirement for better road stability, and reduced body roll. After a lot of research, I ended getting the Hotchkis Sport Sway Bar Kit, with rear endlinks and adjustable stiffness. Initial impression is WOW. Very well packed from factory, power coated bars, grease, manual, parts list to make sure you don't miss anything, adapter plates etc.

From the manufacturer:

Quote:

H Sport has significantly increased the handling performance of the E46 with the addition of our Tubular Sway Bar Set. Bar diameters are 30mm front and 25mm rear. Both are adjustable for fine tuning with the front being 3 position and the rear 2 position. H Sport utilizes special adaptor plates for the rear bushing brackets which allow the use of a standard bushing brackets instead of having to struggle with the oe 'tabbed' brackets. This benefit allows for a zerk fitting and additional strength over the rear subframe. Perfect for street or track days, the set comes complete with front and rear black powdercoated bars,rear end links, polyurethane bushings, bushing brackets and zerk fittings for easy occasional lube.
Specs:
Front 30.2mm (1 3/16") Hollow
3 Way Adjustable
Stiffness over stock 04 330ci Sport
+31%,+51%,+77%
Rear 25.4mm (1") Hollow
2 way Adjustable
Stiffness over stock 04 330ci Sport
+138%,+171%

Congrats on the buy. You will LOVE them. I installed Hotchkis about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier. Handling is much tighter and feel much less roll on high speed turns. If you haven't already done so I would advise changing the end links, mine broke because the sway bars were too strong, plus if you get the adjustable end links you can not only adjust rear but fronts. Good luck with install!

The dreaded brackets that break all the time with the -now gone- powerflex bushes

Install was very easy for the front one. Just remove the brackets, disconnect the endlinks and replace with new ARB. I set it to the softest mode as the manual suggests, but I will change it later on when I have time to test the handling characteristics.

The PS hose was too close so we pushed it a bit out of the way.

New bracket in place with greased bush

Endlink connected at softest setting

Now the rears were a bit more challenging to install. Had to drop the exhaust from the rear mounts to allow some extra space. Just a ratchet with an extension did the job.

YESSSS No subframe damage!!!!

Left is OEM Vs new bolts

Rear ARB brackets removed

Rear ARB removed with the endlinks & brackets still attached to it. A 17mm open wrench was needed to hold the bolt's head on the upper side of the control arm.

Removing rear exhaust mounts to drop the exhaust a bit. Hotchkis doesn't mention this but my mechanic doesn't like following printed instructions blindly.

Testing the new endlinks with the OEM brackets

Securing them in place. We had to adjust the endlinks to lengthen a bit because the bar was touching the rear axles.

Installing the brackets with the PU bushes. The OEM brackets are held in place by a single bolt, the Hotchkis has 2 bolts and a massive aluminum reinforcement plate to hold the bar in place.

Adjusting endlinks to clear axle, screwing the exhaust back in place and DONE. Total time around 2 hours (10 minutes for fronts and 110 minutes for rear)

Old stuff in trunk to go in storage

Now, from the second the car touched the floor, the difference was noticeable. I will reserve my opinions once I manage to test the new setup in varying roads/conditions.

Congrats on the buy. You will LOVE them. I installed Hotchkis about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier. Handling is much tighter and feel much less roll on high speed turns. If you haven't already done so I would advise changing the end links, mine broke because the sway bars were too strong, plus if you get the adjustable end links you can not only adjust rear but fronts. Good luck with install!

Do I have to get endlinks too? If so, for F and R? I thought the Hotchkis kit include endlinks! I have a set at home I bought 3months ago and have been dreading to install - guess I will have to pay someone to do it. If getting NEW endlinks, any recommendations out there? Will OEM (M3 or 330)ones work? Still on that, do I need an alignment afterwards?

Do I have to get endlinks too? If so, for F and R? I thought the Hotchkis kit include endlinks! I have a set at home I bought 3months ago and have been dreading to install - guess I will have to pay someone to do it. If getting NEW endlinks, any recommendations out there? Will OEM (M3 or 330)ones work? Still on that, do I need an alignment afterwards?

^What he said. You may want to unbolt the rear muffler to make the rear install easier, but I think you can handle it.